Once your piercer give you the OK, you can resume your normal habits. Though horizontal piercings are a big no-no, you can still get two vertical tongue piercings. Still, it's important to note that regardless of placement, the piercing can cause damage to the teeth and gums, according to piercer Lynn Loheide and Dr Voigt. Changing out a tongue piercing is completely possible, and in most cases, can be done by yourself at home. Remove the tea bags and allow them to cool for about 30 seconds. A tongue piercing is any body modification that involves piercing a piece of jewelry through the tongue. Aftercare: To care for a tongue piercing, wash it two to three times daily with a sea salt rinse and avoid any activity that will cause additional swelling or irritation until its fully healedaround four to eight weeks. Healing usually takes 3 to 4 weeks. If youre not sure, check with your piercing professional and have them do it for you. "When we're piercing vertically, especially in the centre, we're piercing through a connective tissue between those muscles," Loheide explains. Much of the bacteria is introduced by eating and drinking. Debra Sullivan, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., CNE, COI, bump at the front or back of the piercing. Alcohol can act as a blood thinner, as well as damage the cells around the piercing. The most common is the midline piercing, a vertical piercing involving a needle going straight through at one point from top to bottom in the center of the tongue. Sometimes we will use a larger needle if the client requests a larger gauge piece of jewelry, but 14g is standard, says Dohoney. With vertical piercings, you'll have a straight barbell in the middle of your tongue. Sometimes the signs of infection can be easy to confuse with irritation in piercings, especially if you're extra paranoid. Body piercing: Avoiding complications. The piercer is happy to answer your questions. I don't think the problem is the length of the bar, as there is room on the top and bottom, but I think the problem comes in with my tongue resting . We will send you an email to reset your password. But if your symptoms are severe or if this is your first time dealing with an infection you should see your piercer right away. If a person suspects an infection, it is best to make an appointment with a doctor. One small survey revealed that 3 in 51 people with tongue piercings developed infections. They also note that in the state of Oregon, horizontal tongue piercings are banned for this reason. "Things that you wouldn't [want on] a paper cut, basically, you don't want to eat the first few weeks of a tongue piercing, because it will cause serious discomfort," she says. However, the healing process can take upward of. Your piercer can help you make the right choice, but its important that you be informed as well. And, for mouth piercings where the jewelry will potentially make contact with your teeth and gums, its especially important. Taking care of your new oral piercing. Even if everyone you know had a tongue piercing, there are so many possibilities of placement, jewelry choice, and style that yours would still be completely personal to you. The wound may also bleed or ooze. (n.d.). Right after your appointment, expect your tongue to be a bit swollen and painful for about one to two weeks, according to Loheide. Tattoo aftercare starts as soon as your tattoo is done. MNT is the registered trade mark of Healthline Media. Peoples bodies are all different, so the healing process varies from person to person. Rinse with water (bottled or filtered) thoroughly . When the swelling decreases, replace the jewelry with a shorter piece of jewelry. In this case, start with a cold compress and switch to a warm compress as needed. Read on to learn more about the stage-by-stage healing process of a tongue piercing, as well as some associated risks and treatment options. This might cause redness, pain, swelling or a pus-like discharge after a piercing. However, they should avoid touching the piercing or knocking the piercing with the teeth, as this can increase irritation. If you've decided to get an oral piercing, make sure you're up to date onvaccines for hepatitis B andtetanus. The stakes seem higher and more dangerous should an infection occur. They can take a look at the piercing and make specific recommendations for cleaning and care. Between deciding where you want it, finding your artist, and practicing good aftercare, a lot goes into getting a tattoo. Some may call them venom piercings, but Loheide prefers to just refer to them as paired tongue piercings because for some people venom refers to two horizontal piercings, and the slang terms used to change over time. It is safest to have a piercer do this. I got my tongue pierced 8 days ago. Myers suggests avoiding spicy, crunchy, and acidic foods in the first few weeks to avoid irritation. Wrap each tea bag in a cloth or paper towel. (2020). Mild infections can typically be treated at home. The cost can vary significantly depending on factors, like location, jewelry choice, and the piercing professionals experience level. Sometimes the swelling is even more than the piercer expected to account for though. ", American Dental Association: "Oral Piercing. For more information, please see our Your dentist can monitor for changes and help ensure that your piercing doesnt cause such damages. We avoid using tertiary references. For initial oral piercings, the Association of Professional Piercers (APP) recommends jewelry made from implant-grade metals or 14-karat or higher gold. 3. After your tongue has healed, take the jewelry out every night and brush it the way you brush your teeth. Elegant Roses. You want to look for 14 gauge (14G) tongue barbells with a wearable length of 5/8". A venom piercing is a vertical piercing on each side of the tongue. Isabelle has been contributing to Byrdie since 2020. Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT, Typical symptoms and piercing aftercare by day, General dos and donts during the healing process, authoritytattoo.com/tongue-piercing-healing-and-care/, ada.org/en/member-center/oral-health-topics/oral-piercing, girlshealth.gov/body/grooming/tattoo_pierce.html, Debra Sullivan, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., CNE, COI, How to Identify and Treat an Infected Tragus Piercing, What You Need to Know Before Getting a Tattoo, What's Really in Tattoo Ink? You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. Before your appointment, it's imperative that you brush your teeth and tongue before arriving. Cartilage piercings heal from the outside in, which means that they may look healed on the outside long before the process is truly done. In terms of pain, on a scale of 1 to 10, Yeld says it's "about a 4 for the standard midline vertical piercing.". Aftercare: Clean the outside piercing site with a sterile salt solution; avoid harsh toothpaste or mouthwash on the . Though everyone's tongue is different, Loheide says if your tongue is too short or you have a tongue-tie which is basically when the webbing underneath your tongue comes almost or all the way to the tip a tongue piercing is probably not the best option for you. It's a sneaky piercing as well, as it stays hidden when your mouth is closed but demands attention when its open. Floss your teeth once a day. But despite the location, the aftercare for tongue piercings is actually a lot easier (and a lot less painful) than some would expect. Extremely crunchy foods, such as chips, can cause additional pain and irritation. Severe pain, long-term swelling, trouble talking, and eating difficulties are not normal, but they are treatable. Learn more about piercing rejections here. Read on to find out what symptoms are typical during this time, how your aftercare may vary from week to week, when you can safely change your jewelry, and more. Snake Bite Piercings. Leaving longer jewelry in place increases irritation and may damage the teeth. , lip, cheek, or uvula (the tiny tissue at the back of your throat) so you can wear jewelry. This ensures the health of your piercing over the long term. It is vital to not overuse the mouth rinse. Also, use a new toothbrush after getting a new tongue piercing. Body piercings: Cleaning and healing. Anything beyond that could be a sign of a problem, like an infection. However, as with all piercings, theyre not totally without risk. You can expect short-term symptoms likepain, swelling, and extrasaliva. Keep reading for everything you need to know about tongue piercings. In addition to the pain and swelling, you'll also deal with a slight lisp or change in how you speak. Some symptoms of infection include: Piercings heal from the outside in, which means that the outermost tissue of the tongue heals first. You may also consider rinsing with a saline solution after every meal. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. Erich P. Voigt, MD, a board-certified ear, nose, and throat doctor and director of General Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery at NYU Langone Health, notes that pus, severe tongue swelling, fever, enlarged lymph nodes, and difficult breathing indicate that it's time to seek out a medical professional. You can use mouthwash to rinse after a meal and as part of your normal oral care routine. That means using sterile instrument, disposable, one-time use needles, and high quality, sterile jewelry. Here is all the information you need to know so you are well-informed and feel confident when you finally pierce your tongue or are ready to get new jewelry. (2012). More in comments. So please take the time to create a new account for our sleek new site. Some other strategies that can speed healing include: Do not try to treat an infected piercing at home. If you arent already using a mouthwash, theres no need to start now. But, if its stubborn and hard to remove, have a professional do it instead. The Tongue Piercing: Everything You Need to Know. Gently wipe the cloth or towel around each side of the jewelry. DOI: Malta Purim KS, et al. Continue with your salt rinses, and make sure youre brushing and flossing. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Suck on ice or apply a cold compress | Cold compress. A barbell is inserted in a tongue piercing by pushing it through behind the needle. Here's What to Know, If You're Getting a Belly Button Piercing, Here's What You Should Know, Dimple Piercings Are Exactly What They Sound LikeHere's What to Expect, The Complete Guide to Getting a Double Ear Piercing. Although typically, a tongue piercing runs anywhere from $35 to $100. Certain styles of piercing jewelry is appropriate for certain types of piercings, so dont try to use a lip ring for as a tongue ring. A horizontal is the most painful because its done in an area where the majority of the nerves are.. 2005-2023 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. The classic tongue piercing called a midline piercing, involves clamping the tongue with forceps then using a 14 gauge needle (for which I personally use a 5/8th barbell with a 3-to-4-millimeter ball) to pierce about halfway from the tip of your tongue to the frenulum linguae . Compress and switch to a warm compress as needed so you can use mouthwash to rinse after a meal as! 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